Caring Evie, 10, follows footsteps of her godmother
ATEN-YEAR-OLD fundraiser followed in her godmother’s footsteps to raise hundreds of pounds for charities.
Ashleigh Whitaker passed away in February this year, aged just 27, after battling Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer for more than a year.
Following the motherof-one’s death, her fiance Mitchell Antrobus vowed to set up a Foundation in her name in order to support bereaved children and single parents.
Ashleigh’s goddaughter Evie Halliday, who she doted on and who knew her as ‘auntie Ashleigh’, recently ran the Pretty Muddy Race for Life at Heaton Park, raising more than £600.
The bulk of the money will go to Cancer Research, with additional cash donations going to Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital, and the
Ashleigh Whitaker Foundation.
Evie was roared on by loved ones, including dad Ben Halliday, grandma Debbie, aunts
Amii and Emily, and cousin Alexia.
Zoe Whittaker, who was no relation but was Ashleigh’s close friend, said her daughter’s life was “turned upside down” when her godmother died.
Zoe, from Haslingden, said: “It’s been a big loss to her really.
“Ashleigh was my best friend. We have been friends since we were 12, after meeting in the park with different friends, and she was really close to Evie.
“She would have been so proud of Evie that day.”
While battling cancer, Ashleigh continued to try to help others by campaigning for Clatterbridge Hospital, which carried out her chemotherapy and radiotherapy after her diagnosis in January 2020, and raised £5,000.
Zoe, 28, said she was hugely proud of her daughter, and it has inspired her to follow Ashleigh’s fundraising example.
“All the family came to watch her and she was so proud to complete this run,” said Zoe.
“She plans on completing more runs as she feels it’s something to show that people who are undergoing treatment for cancer struggle to do everyday tasks.
“We would love to raise more for Cancer Research and Clatterbridge Hospital and to keep Ashleigh’s name alive.”
To donate visit fundraise.cancerresearchuk. org and search for ‘Evie’s Race for Life Ashleigh’.
The Ashleigh Whitaker Foundation has its own Facebook page.